Manifolding invoice-sheets, packer&#39;s order and express receipt.



R. C. BENDER.

MANIEOLIIING INVOICE SHEETS, PAcKEB's ORDER AND EXPRESS RECEIPT.

APPLICATION FILED IAN.22. I9I8.

Patented Oct. 15, 1918.

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IIII IIII momo 9555 -NI'IED STATES ATEN'I @FFQE ROBERT C. BENDER, 0F ST. IJOUIS, MISSOURI.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedOct. 15, 1918.

Application led January 22, 1918. Serial No. 213,142.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. BENDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Manifolding Invoice-Sheets7 Packers Order and EX- press Receipts, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates generally to recording sales system and more particularly to a manifolding arrangement of sheets which are formed and printed So as to be particularly adapted for all business purposes, and especially those businesses `where credit is extended to the customers, my present invention being an improvement-on the system disclosed in my Patent No. 1,220,589, dated March 27, 1917.

The principal objects of my present invention are, to generally improve and simplify the system disclosed in my patent aforesaid; to materially reduce the time and labor involved in making out the necessary invoice sheets, express receipt, Vpackers order, and shipping tag;'to reduce to a mini*- mum the liability of mistakes in filling out the various sheets, and likewise to minimize the time and labor involved in keeping anV accurate account of all transactions relating to customers orders which are handled by a business house or selling establishment.

IVith the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Y Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pad or book made up of the various sheets contemplated by my invention.

Fig. 2l is a View of the front. face of the first or top sheet of each series and which sheet is termed the original invoice.

Fig. 3 is a front or face view of the second sheet, the same serving as the customers invoice.

Fig. 4 is a front 0r face view of the third sheet and which constitutes the express receipt and packers order.

Fig. 5 is a front or'face view of a fourth stub whereby the sheet may be bound or secured to the other sheets to form a book or pad.

A row of perforations 12 is formed between the body of sheet 10 and stub portion 11, thereby permitting the original invoice to be readily removed from the stub when properly filled out.

Appearing on the upper portion of the original invoice sheet 10 and preferably in the upper right hand corner thereof is a serial number 13 by means of which the individual orders are identified, and as will be understood, the remaining sheets of each set or series are printed with the same serial number. YFurther, the book or pad formed of the sets or series of sheets are arranged in numerical order, for instance; the first or original book of a business house will contain the sets of sheets numbered co-nsecutively from one to one hundred.

Printed on the upper portion of sheet 1() is a series of lines 14 upon which is adapted to be written the date on which the sale is made, the name of the buyer or consignee, and likewise his address, andv immediately below these lines is printed the namerof the seller or consignor.

Immediately below the printed name of the business house is vprinted headings such as Lot, Shipment, Via, Per, Articles, Amount, and Billing weight, said headings being followed by 'small spaces 15, which are adapted to receive written data relating to the items purchased by the customer or consignes. Immediately below Vthis data is printed a series of horizontally disposed lines 16 inscribed by a seriesl of vertically disposed lines 17, thereby forming columns which are provided with printed headings such as Quantity, Variety, Price and Amount, and when a sale is made, the proper data relative thereto is written in the proper spaces in these columns. Immediately below the space occupied by these lines 16 is printed headings such as Express, Time, y

Boxes, Bbls., Pails, Bskts.7 and Crts. These different indications are to be suitably checked with a pencil to indicate the particular receptacle in which the customers order p is to be packed and shipped.

That portion of the sheetlObelow the headings just mentioned constitute a debit slip 18 and a credit slip 19, said slips being;

' a line of perforatons 21.

` sheets.

The credit slip 19 is provided near Vone end with an aperture 22 and on'its face is printed the word Credit and a serial number 237 the latter corresponding to the serial number 13:`

The debit slip 18 is provided near one' end with an aperture 24 Vand printed on the faceof said debit slip is the word DebitI anda serial number 25, the latter correspondingto the serial numbers 13 and 23.

The second sheet 26 kof the serles and which is positioned immediately beneathA latter being separatedfrom the body of the sheetv26 by a row of perforations`28 and the upper right hand corner of said separate sheet being printed with a serial number 29 which corresponds to the serial number 113. The lower portion of sheet 26 or that portion corresponding to the credit and debit slips of sheet 10 constitutes a customers'invoice slip 30, the same being separable from the body'of the sheet 26 along a row of perforations '31,* andl this customers invoice slip is printed with' a serial number 32 which corresponds to the serial number 29 and said slip being also printed with the title Customer-s invoice and with headings` such as Date paid and Terms.

The third sheet of the series illustrated in Figi. 4, is the same size as the sheets 10 and 26 andthe greater portion of the face of said third sheet is printed with the same matter that appears onthe first and second The 4upper Yportion of' said third sheet is provided with a transversely disposed row ofperforations 337 thereby forining-a stub 34 which is adapted to be secured to stubs 11 and 27 and 'arranged immediately above therheadin'gs for the columns formed on said third sheet is a transversely disposed row of perforations 35. That portion of the sheet between the row of perforations 33 and 35 constitutesan express receipt 36v and printed immediately above or in front of the firm name are the words Received from and below the firm name is printed the words Subject tothe express co.s regular form of receipt. This receipt is also printed with a serial number 37 which corresponds to the serial numbers13 and 29. That portion of the third sheet'below the row of perforations 35 and having the columns headed` Quantity, Variety7 Price and Amount 'constitutes a packers order sheet 38, the lower portion of which is printed with the words Packers vorderandalsc witha serial number 39 corsaid sheetv bearing in its upper righthand corner-a serial' number 41, corresponding to the serial'numbersof the other sheets of the set; The upper portion of this fourth sheet is provided-with astub 42 separated from themain body of the sheet by a transverse row of. perforationsf43 and the lowerv portion ofsaid sheet is printed with a heading Agents notice and with instructions to the consignee. rIherear face of this sheet 40 isV coated with -a suitable adhesive as. designated by 44, thereby enabling the sheet or tag to -be readily pasted. onto va box, crate or like package.' Y The four.` sheets of the set or series, are preferably of different colors'in order that they may bereadily distinguished,

. The operations incident to the use ofA my improved manifolding invoice system. are as follows: y,

When .a salesman or invoice clerk receives an order, carbon sheets are placed between Y the originalinvoice and vthe customers invoice7 between the'latter and the combined express receipt and packers order, and between the latter and the shipping tag 40. The date, name of purchaser or'consignee andthe address ofthe latter are now written in the proper spaces above lines 14 and the proper data relative. to the item. sold, the prices'therefo'r and vthe ylike are written in the spaces 15 and in the proper columns between linesA 17. Necessarily the carbon sheets transfer thiswritten matter`r to the successive sheets of the series so. that all .of said sheets` are properly filled out at one time Y The combined express freceipt and packers order-and the shipping tag are now removed from their respectiveY stubs 34 and 42 along the perforated linesi334 and 43, and thesel sheets are delivered' to the packing clerk lower portion of the sheet 38, after which the packing slip is temporarily applied to the packed container to serve as a guide for the shipping clerk. When the shipping clerk receives the packed container, he compares the packing slip thereon with the shipping tag, and after checking the items to see that the same correspond, moistens the adhesive on the rear side of the shipping tag and pastes the same onthe package. lThe express receipt 36 is now detached from the packer-s order or slip, along the row of perforations 35, and said receipt is temporarily placed in a suitable receptacle from which it is'removed by the express agent or person receipting for the express company or other common carrier.

It will be understood that an agent of the express company or other common carrier calls periodically at the shipping rooms of concerns having daily shipments to out-oftown customers, and this express agent or collector removes the express receipts from the receptacle and after comparing same with the packages to be shipped, signs said receipts and returns same to the receptacle, or to the proper clerk who, at the close of a days business, places the signed express receipts with the corresponding packers orders, in a suitable container or holder thereby forming a permanent record for the packing and shipping operations.

The shipping tag 40 applied to the package contains an itemized list of the contents of the shipment as required by the laws of a number of States, and when the customer has received his invoice i6 by mail and when hehas received the package bearing the 'shipping tag 4-0, he can readily check one list against the other and likewise check the contents of the package against both lists, thereby readily ascertaining any shortage or mistakes which may have occurred in packing or shipment. Y

When the customer makes payment for the list of items contained on his invoice, the date of payment and the amount paid are written on the customers invoice slip 30 and the latter is detached from the invoice sheet 26, the latter being transmitted with the check or draft covering payment of the goods. The invoice slip 30 serves as a record for the customer to show the date and amount of the remittance, and likewise the number of the invoice which the particular remittance covers.

ln handling sales by means of my improved system, the work is greatly facilitated if the operator will control the invoice numbers regardless of whether or not they are for purchases made by a customer (debits) or cash received for previous purchases (credits). Inasmuch as all customers invoices are billed in numerical order, debit slips should be arranged in'like manner. At the close of a days business,all of the invoices which are intact are delivered to :the proper clerk in the accounting department who immediately goes over' all eX- tensions to ascertain and correct any errors. The clerk then proceeds to list the amount of each invoice on a tape by means of an adding machine or the like, then setting down at the top, the number of the rst in- Voice opposite the amount and then at the bottom opposite the last amount, the last invoice number. When all invoices are accounted for, debit slips are removed from the invoice sheets in numerical order and are delivered to the bookkeeper in order to be properly recorded. f The invoices are then arranged in alphabetical order and are ready for posting or iling in invoice 'holders ladapted for the purpose. As the clerk proceeds to ile or post, he notes the amount of the invoice Vand the number thereof and marks said number opposite the corresponding amount on the tape. After this work has been completed, all invoice numbers will be opposite their respective amounts, or, in other words, the clerk has mechanically back-posted all debits for the day, likewise giving the bookkeeper or person in charge of the books a duplicate stub number (debits) of all invoices posted or filed.

Practically these same operations apply to the credit slips. Usually when cash is received to cover a purchase, the amount of the cash is entered in the cash book in alphabetical order and at the end of the days business, the total amo-unt of cash is added up and proper entry made of said total amount. The proper clerk then takes the cash book to the cabinet containing the invoice holders where the various accounts are arranged in alphabetical order and removes the particular invoices to which the cash received applies. After thisoperation, all paid invoices (credits) are added up in the same` manner as are all charges (debits). A com'- parison is made of the footings of cash received andthe accounts must balance.v lf there is any discrepancy, the same will appear and can be corrected at once. When the amounts are in balance, the credit slips are removed and delivered to the proper person for record of all invoice numbers paid (credits). By arranging the 'credit slips in numerical order from time to time as they are paid and listing` the numbers and amounts 'of all invoices still outstanding unpaid at trial balance periods, a ycomplete checking and accounting of all invoice numbers and amounts can be had for anyv period.

When the paid invoices are removed from the invoice holders and the credit slips detached, the original invoices are then filed in a trade folder or suitable container asa permanent record of any and all paid trans- .voice sheet, the express receipt and packers order, and.- a shipping tag, thus materially reduci-ng the time; and labor -involved Where such sheeets are copied byl dierent persons from vthe originallinvoice. Further,-my improved system eliminates: mistakes which are liable to occur-Where data is; copied, from one sheet to another, and .the use .of said system' materially lessens the Workoi` the bookkeeper or clerk having in charge the 'recordsof all transactionsi 2 Y It is. obvious that minorv changes in pre` cise `embodimentof the invention herein vdisclosed can be made Within the scopeof the claims, Without departing from vthe spiritof the invention.

'I claim: 1

1. ln a recording sales system, an original invoice sheet, a customers invoice sheet, and' a sheet comprising an express receipt and; a packersorder, vall of Which sheetsare printed With `identical headings and; are provided With spaces Which are adapted to coincide When the rsheets are assembled in superimposed relationship, all of said sheets bearing Athe zsame Aserial number, and the third sheet` being. provided with a transversely disposed weakened line to .permit the packers order to be readily detached from the express receipt.A

2. In a recording sales system, an original invoice sheet, a customersv invoice sheet and a sheet comprising Vanexpress receipt and a packers order,all of Whichsheets are printed With identical headings and are provided with spaces which are adapted to coincide When the sheets are assembled in superimposed relationship, all of said sheets bearing the same serial number, portions of the original invoicesheet being separable from each .other and from said sheet by weakened lines to form credit and debit slips which `bear the. same seri-alV number as the sheet to which theyl are attached, and the third sheet beingprovided with a transversely disposed weakened line to permit the packers order to be readily detached from the express receipt.y

3. In a recording sales system, an original invoice sheet, a custoniers invoice sheet `and a sheet comprising an express receipt and a packers order, all of which ,sheets are printed With identical headings'and are provided with spaces Which are adapted to coincide When the sheets are assembled in superimposed;relationship, all of said sheets bearing `the sameserial number, aportion oiv the ,customer-sinvoice sheetE being ,detachf able Lalong awveakeiied line to form la. custoinersy invoice slip which bears the same serial number as thesheet to which itY is attached, and the third zsheet being provided with a transversely,disposed'weakened. line to permit lthe packers order to be readily detached from the express receipt.

4. in a recording sales system, an original invoice sheet, a customer-s invoice sheet and a sheet comprisingran express receipt -anda packers order, all` or' which `sheets, are printed With identical headings, and are provided With spaces which areadapted to coincide When the sheets are assembled in superimposed relationship, all ofisaidsheets bearing the same serial number., yportions oi' the Aoriginahinvoice sheetibeing separable from eachother and from said sheet by weakened lines to form credit rand debit slips which bear the saine serial 'numberas thev .sheet to Which they are attached, a

y portion .of the customersV invoice sheet being detachable along Va,vvcakencd line to form aY customers invoice slipwhich bears the same` serial number as the sheet to which it is attached, andthe Vthird ,sheet bein@ Jroc s l vided ivith al transversely disposed weakened line to permitthc packers order to be readily detached rom ythe express receipt.

"in a recordingsales system, Ya seriesvof separate and independent sheets of` uniform` size, Which series` comprises Van original invoice sheet, a` ciistoniers invoice sheet, a sheet vcomprising anfexpress receiptand a packers order, andashipping tagt he;re verse side of the latter being provided `With a suitable adhesive, allV of which sheets are A printed iv-ith identical headings and are pro-V vided With spaces which VareladaptedV to coincide when the sheets are assembled in superimposed relationship, all of said sheets being provided with the same `serial number, andportions of the `Voriginal invoice sheet being separable ifronifeachv otherand from the main body of said sheet along weakened lines rto forni credit and debit slips, each of the latter bearing the same serial number .as the original invoice sheet :to Which they are attached, and there beingy apertures :formed through said credit and debit slips to permit the same.v to be led Yon a hook or hanger. f f

6. In a recording sales system, a series of separate and independent sheetsof uniform size, which series comprises an original invOiCesheet, a` customers invoice. sheet, a

sheet comprisingfan express receipt and a packers order,-anda shipping tag, the re-y verse side of the latter being provided with a suitable adhesive, all `oi which sheets are printed Withvidentical headings and are prollO vided with spaces which are adapted to coincide when the sheets are assembled in superimposed relationship, all of said sheets being provided with 4the same serial number, portions of the original invoice sheet being separable from each other and from the main body of said sheet along weakened lines to form credit and debit slips, the same being perforated and provided with the same serial number as the original invoice sheet to which they are attached, and a portion of the customers invoice sheet being detachable along a weakened line to form a customers invoice slip.

7. In a recording sales system, a series of separate and independent sheets of uniform size, said series comprising an original in voice sheet having portions separable along weakened lines to form credit and debit slips, each of which latter is provided near one end with an aperture, a customers in* voice sheet having a portion separable along a weakened line to form a customers invoice slip, a third sheet comprising portions separable along a weakened line to form an express receipt and a packers order, all of said sheets .being printed with identical headings and are provided with spaces which are adapted to coincide when the sheets are assembled in superimposed rela- Gopies of this patent may be obtained for tionship, and all of which sheets and slips bear the same serial number.

8. In a recording sales system, a series of separate and independent sheets of uniform size, said series comprising an original invoice sheet having portions separable along weakened lines to form credit and debit slips, each of which latter is provided near one end with an aperture, a customers invoice sheet having a portionseparable along a weakened line to form a customers invoice ineide with the spaces on the other sheets,

said last mentioned sheet constituting a shipping tag and having its reverse side coated with an adhesive.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 17 th dav of January, 1918.

ROBT. C. BENDER.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

